Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/69

 Through the Delta. 65

of the Sai-tsia hills, These hills form a plateau about one thousand feet above the level of the sea, with seventy-two peaks of varions heights rising up. The highest of these is the Tai-foh peak, from the top of which an unobstructed view of the richest: and most: populous district of south China is gained. Visitors to this peak frequently start from the town below at mid- night, in order to reach the top in time to see the sun rise. A good paved road, lined with eleocarpus and liquid-amber trees, leads up the mountain side, through wooded glens, over bridges spanning deep ravines, beside cool grottoes and springs of delicious water. A large portion of the land among the hills is devoted to the cultivation of tea, the Wan-mo or “Cloudy Mist” tea from the Sai-tsiu hills having a great reputation among the Chinese.

Fourteen villages, of not less than a thousand people each, are found among these hills. Amidst the peaks are many gorges and cascades to delight the lover of nature, the most noted arnong them being the Tsui-ngam, “The Many-Hued Gorge,” the Chit-hang, “ Vermilion Ravine,” and the Pak-wan, “White Cloud Cascade.” Of all these charming spots Pak-wan is the most attractive. The great scholar Pak-wan had his study in this pic- turesque ravine, shaded by groves of fine trees, with the cool water ever pouring down the gorge. The cataract falls over the precipice above in a double stream, and flows out below under a natural bridge of stone. Halfway up is a small cave, reached with difficulty, before the opening of which the spray of the falling cascade hangs in a misty veil, Masses of delicate ferns, refreshed hy

5